Ahead of the deadline given by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to political parties to submit the names of the running mates for their presidential candidates, the race is on for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to fill the slot.
A number of names mostly serving Governors are already being thrown up in the media
as possible running mate to the party’s standard bearer and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
For some political reasons, majority of those being touted for the position are serving Governors of the main opposition party.
The calculation is that only a serving Governor from the South of the country can galvanise the kind of mobilisation needed to compliment Atiku’s campaign machinery and ensure victory for the party at the polls.
While anyone else outside of this formidable political bloc may suffice to fill the gap, the candidate could end up an unnecessary liability, lacking the required political structure and financial weight to help PDP prosecute the kind of lethal combination to wrest power from the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.
With this kind of thinking, only a few serving PDP Governors seem to match the profile of the right candidate. To fill the position, some fingers have pointed in the direction of Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike.
Wike’s strength
Governor Nyesom Wike comes highly recommended after his spirited efforts at the just concluded PDP Presidential primary election that saw him losing marginally in second position to Atiku.
As a serving Governor, Wike controls a fair share of influence and power in PDP especially in the South-South. With his political structure, Wike can replicate same at the national level for PDP.
His state, Rivers has a voting population that can wipe out votes for APC and its Presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu in his stronghold of Lagos. Vocal and aggressive, Wike can be an asset to the PDP and strengthen Atiku’s campaign in the South.
His scorecard as a performing Governor that earned him the nickname of Mr. Project should count to compliment Atiku’s quest.
Wike’s weakness
Governor Wike’s aggressiveness is however viewed in many quarters as a problem.
His disposition portrays him as too independent minded and irrational with power to be submissive as Vice President.
Next is the Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa.
As a serving Governor, Okowa can pull same resources as Wike even though his political structure and the numeric voting strength of his Delta State may not be as strong.
Quiet and reserved, Okowa could be the ideal “subservient deputy”, that can add meaning to Atiku’s presidency with less scandals. But Okowa may not have the national appeal Wike currently enjoys.
On the list as well is the Governor of Akwa Ibom, Udom Emmanuel Udom.
As a sitting Governor, Udom can bring to the table about the same size of political strength Wike and Okowa can boast of in the South-South.
Quiet and amiable, his candidacy could be less rancorous and even more profiting for PDP. His youthful age and performance in office make him even more attractive.
But Udom like Okowa lacks the national appeal to help PDP clean votes in the South let alone the North of the country.
Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki is also on the list.
As a serving Governor, Obaseki can also pull the required resources and political structure to back Atiku even though such influence may not be as much as that of Wike and Okowa.
He however cuts the picture of the perfect Vice Presidential candidate still.
He however wears a tag of being a “traitor” and cannot be trusted with power.
The permutations notwithstanding, the choice of running mate will be for Atiku and his PDP to make.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
